Receive the latest sounddiego updates in your inbox

For vinyl lovers, it's Christmas in April. Every year, on the third Saturday of April, artists and their record labels release a special batch of goodies on wax for fans and independent record stores -- in what is affectionately known as Record Store Day (RSD).

In an effort to support locally owned-and-run record stores, major and indie labels release extremely limited quantities of albums, rare re-reissues, special editions of live albums, 7" singles, and all other sorts of music-related goodness for listeners and collectors to snatch up -- if they can get their hands on them.

The selections are generally part of very small runs, distributed to shops based on how many they request, even though the stores have no idea how many (if any) they'll receive in advance.

Wayne's World

Hundreds of Flaming Lips fans turned out to talk to Wayne Coyne, the Oklahoma band's frontman, at M-Theory Records in Mission Hills on Wednesday, and he stayed for hours chatting and signing and chatting.

(Published Thursday, April 3, 2014)

"We order as much as we can," Off the Record's Paul Russe told us. "But everything is extremely limited. Sometimes there'll only be 500 or 2,500 pieces available to the entire U.S. -- sometimes you get lucky and get maybe half of what you order."

Either way, stores are more than happy to be involved. "It's an exciting time to be an independent record store right now and it's not a monetary thing," M-Theory Records owner Rick Tyner said. "[RSD] has certainly helped many stores from having to close their doors, but more than that, there's an energy and a sense of community that is strong and Record Store Day is a celebration of that."

M-Theory is just one example of how shops pull out all the stops for vinyl fans. The store opens for business at 10 a.m. but RSD is an all-day event: Spencer Moody of the Murder City Devils, and the Donkeys will be performing -- along with DJ sets by Jason Blackmore (aka Blackie), Records with Roger, and Craig Oliver of Volar Records. Beer will be provided by Saint Archer Brewing, in partnership with Sector 9 Skateboards, who will be giving away skateboards and other gear.

Partying With the Donkeys

The Donkeys headline our SoundDiego LIVE Halloween spooktacular on Thursday at the Office. RSVP here: http://bit.ly/18Gr3oy

SoundDiego LIVE Halloween Spooktacular

Any way you cut it, tomorrow's Record Store Day promises to be both rewarding and memorable. Show up early, get your hands on some cool vinyl and support your local businesses -- sounds like a fine Saturday to me. I'll see you there.